Disability Rights of West Virginia (DRWV) is the federally mandated protection and advocacy system for people with disabilities in West Virginia. One of DRWV’s federally funded programs is Protection and Advocacy for Assistive Technology (PAAT). Through this program, DRWV provides advocacy to those in need of assistive technology (AT), including durable medical equipment (DME).
DRWV collaborated with others to create EMS Communication Cards. These cards are useful for communicating medical, physical, and emotional information when an individual is unable to speak. These cards may be helpful for individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, have a traumatic brain injury, autism, intellectual/developmental disability, or have difficulty communicating whether permanent or temporary. An electronic copy can be found at:
According to the Assistive Technology Act of 1998, an assistive technology device means “any item, piece of equipment, or product system, whether acquired commercially, modified, or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities”. Many people may benefit from using AT and/or DME to assist in completing activities of daily living, increasing ability to work, attend school, maintain their home and independence, etc. A brochure that provides additional information about the PAAT program can be found at:
If you would like PAAT brochures, EMS Communication Cards, or additional information about our services, please contact the DRWV office at 304-346-0847 or toll free at 800-950-5250 or emailed at contact@drofwv.org.
